Zalgatyl Burrows

The Zalgatyl live in underground burrow complexes in communities of 400-900 gnomes. Different tribes prefer different methods of burrow construction, but the most common is a large common area surrounded by individual nests, with a webwork of tunnels leading out from there. The common area will contain a temple (nearly always to Nogato) and traders. Some members of the community are skilled craftsmen (or, more likely, women) and one can trade pepper poison for baskets, obsidian daggers for darts, or a bone whistle for a fertility charm blessed by the cleric of Noxatl.

The community center is generally 10'-15' high and 50' or more across. Columns may be used to support the ceiling, if needed. Large cells attached to the center or near it (7' ceilings, 20'-30' in diameter) may be workshops, other shrines to minor local Powers, or the residences of powerful individuals like the Priest-King and his household or a great general. Families tend to have one to three smaller cells (5' ceilings, 10' across), depending on their status and size. Small holes for air, light, and smoke pierce the ceilings at irregular intervals.

The tunnels which connect all of this are well-known by members of the community. Some tunnels lead to living quarters. Others lead to exits to the surface. Still others lead to deadfalls, pit traps, or other hazards. These are set up by the tribe's protectors to foil invasion attempts by other tribes of Zalgatyl.

Sample Zalgatyl Burrow

Cenyaotl (sen-ya-AUGH-tl) is a large, prosperous burrow at the very northern edge of the Noxatl. Nearly 900 gnomes live, work, and worship here. It was the site of The Blessed Visitation in about Maximus II (as the Nargothians reckon time). Both Nogato and Chigalte walked the earth here. Nogato slew an evil fire demon that threatened to burn great holes into the jungle. Chigalte came with new ideas and new inventions - a drink that was as sweet to the tongue as juice, but that inspired great deeds of courage. This drink came in containers made of obsidian so pure that it seemed like crystal, and sealed with an odd, spongy plug. Ever the trickster, Chigalte's other gift was disguised. The device used to remove the plug, it was realized, could burrow through the ground just as it did the spongy substance. Construction of great, twisting digging machines enabled the gnomes of Cenyaotl to attack and dominate many other burrows, forming something of a nation under their Priest-King.

In the years since, the Cenyaotl gnomes have not been able to use the process Chigalte showed them to create more of the sweet nectar drink. But they have been able to use it on their native peppers, producing the beverage called "Warrior's Heart." Outside observers cannot usually distinguish between Warrior's Heart and the Zalgatyl pepper poison.

Cenyaotl also has the first real temple to Chigalte, as the gnomes have not forgotten which god enabled their conquests. The Cult of Nogato, however, is as strong as ever; the continuing wars have further impressed the gnomes with the importance of their warriors.

Population: 870 gnomes. 370 males, 350 females, 150 children.

Meteotl, Fang of Nogato, King-Priest of Cenyaotl, Uniter of the Zalgatyl. F6/C6 (of Nogato)

The Fang of Nogato is surprisingly hale for a Zalgatyl King-Priest. His only deformity is a slight limp, the result of a childhood injury. Now well into his middle years, Meteotl does not take up arms as often as he did in years past. When he does, he favors a matched pair of long and short obsidian daggers. As the leader of the Jaguar Knights and a King-Priest, Meteotl can assume the form of a golden jaguar twice per day.

Meteotl is utterly convinced that he and Cenyaotl have been chosen by the gods to rule over the rest of the Zalgatyl. Did not both of the First Children come to his burrow? Did Chigalte not give him marvelous gifts, out of her own hands? Meteotl cannot actively encourage the worship of Chigalte (Nogato can be a jealous god), but neither does he condemn the new temple in the burrow. To appease and thank his god, he makes sure that the best warrior of each newly conquered burrow ends up on the sacrificial altar.

Lopochtli and Miclantic, High Priests of Nogato. Both male gnomes, C7 (of Nogato)

Both of these priests are surprisingly loyal to Meteotl. He is the chosen of the gods, after all, and surely anyone who tried to depose him would find himself facing their wrath! They both are venerated to the extreme, anyway: it was their magics that allowed Meteotl to converse with the gods. Anyone who can speak the language of the gods must be holy, indeed!

Both priests use the bone picks favored by the clergy of Nogato.

Tlaloc, Priest of Chigalte. Male gnome, Illusionist 6

Tlaloc is possibly the best Zalgatyl illusionist existing. As such, he is the head of the worship of Chigalte. Under his direction, her worship is bending ever more towards reverencing her role as the mother of magic than the mother of invention. Tlaloc has more enthusiasm than organization, however. At least one of his apprentices think the faith would be much better served if she were running things.

Tlazchizal, Priestess of Noxatl. Female gnome, P5. Healing, Divination, Animal and Plant spheres.

This elderly female gnome is feared and respected - and very lonely. She keeps mainly to herself in her small living quarters, venturing out only for births and deaths. She refuses to comment on the Blessed Visitation or the conquests. She also refuses to perform any divinations for Meteotl anymore. She claims Noxatl has stopped speaking to her. Meteotl doubts this, but cannot prove otherwise, and leaves the old woman alone. (Tlazchizal's divinations have revealed the true nature of the Blessed Visitation to her, and she dares not speak of it.)

Also:

4 underpriests of Nogato (C3)

3 underpriests of Chigalte (2 Illusionist 3, 1 C2)

9 war-captains (F3-6, probably Jaguar Knights)

Most of the 350 male gnomes are F0 or F1; a few of the female gnomes are hunters (F0, F1, or even a few R1). Some of the F1 may be lower-ranking officers or new Jaguar Knights. The worshippers of Chigalte include another two Illusionist 1.

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